Racism is every bit as real and pervasive as sexism. It is a reality that has major influence over our culture and economy. In the work place, in government and in our educational systems are all places where it perverts what should be; into something else. It is a CURRENT reality, and a problem we face on many planes today. But picking at everything that could be considered racist if viewed from the right angle does nothing to fight the root of the problem. Proper education is where this fight is best fought. In the meantime fairness and equality in government and in the workplace is something we need to fight for and be vigilant of.

Fashion magazine covers can take the day off though. Doesn't the fact that this is so debatable tell you something about its grounding? People are grasping on both sides because there is nothing solid about this incident to hold on to.

Distracting from real issues; where a well placed argument or a well funded fight could make a real difference in the lives of people today, and in the lives of future generations, does more to serve racism than it does to hinder it. This is a witch hunt. It is bickering about a non-sensical "might-be" while real issues of Racism are being ignored. Again, as said before, if we go looking for what might be racism everywhere, we will find it everywhere. Has anyone asked the athlete if he was striving for anti-black? Or the model or the magazine? Thus far, the only ones calling fowl are those who first imagined the wrong doing, and then dubbed themselves as harmed by their imaginings. This isn’t a case of racial remarks being made, or people being mistreated based on the color of their skin, or people trying to speak down about a culture, or promote one over another, this is about a photograph selected because it was believed to be the best representation of the two “characters” from that particular photography shoot. Has the athlete called to say he was misrepresented? No? Then why are you?

And, "all the whiteys" really doesn't have a place in an argument against racism. It fits perfectly though if you are trying to argue in its favor. The race that needs uniting is the human one. That is the goal and that is where every victory over racism should move us towards. So what is the goal of labeling this photograph and these people? Is there one? Is the hope that with the discussion the people involved can somehow be slandered or shamed? Think about what you are trying for.